Smart Workforce Solutions
Archive for August, 2007
The Milken Institute, a renowned independent economic think tank, released its study of the most expensive and least expensive states for businesses. The Show-Me state shows favorable to business with Missouri coming in as one of the states in the top least-expensive for doing business, ranking at 43 of 50 in total cost index overall.
Comments (0)The Carthage Chamber’s first-ever Small Business World Series is a showcase of local businesses with a baseball flavored tailgate party event on Thursday, August 30th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event takes place at the historic Rock Stadium inside the Municipal Park in Carthage. The Missouri Career Center is one of the tailgate exhibits that visitors will see as they “round the bases” at the event.
“The objective for this event was to provide an opportunity for member businesses to promote goods and services to the general public in an unusual fashion at an unconventional location,” noted John Bode, President of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce. “I’d say the committee has done a great job meeting that objective.”
In addition to the unique tailgate displays, a special appearance of Louise, the Springfield Cardinals mascot is set to boost the baseball theme of the event. The Gadget Guy, aka Brad Douglas from KSN-TV, will emcee the event.
Tracy Lemmons and Deb Baugh will represent the Career Center at the event. The “tailgate booth” will feature information on services and initiatives through the center. For more information on the Small Business World Series, contact the Carthage Chamber of Commerce at 417-358-2373.
A recent study by the Urban Land Institute found that many companies are finding a shortage of affordable housing close to work is making it more difficult to hire and retain entry-and mid-level workers. It also found that younger workers and workers earning $50,000 or less were significantly more likely to move closer to work if affordable housing were available than those with higher incomes.
Of those larger (100+ employees) companies surveyed, 58% reported having lost employees at least in part to long commute times, 69% believed a long commute time increases employee stress, 63% believed it triggers negative emotion among employees, 48% said it causes more absenteeism, and 46% said it contributes to turnover. Some of the solutions to long commute times offered by employers included flextime (45%) and telecommuting (21%).